“A common evangelical saying is that many miss heaven by eighteen inches . . . the distance between the head and the heart. We also need to remember that many others miss heaven by thirty-four inches” (Why Ministers Must Be Men, p. 23).
How Bad Theology is Incentivized
“When men follow a teacher like Jezebel of Thyatira, they are doing so not because her doctrinal reasons are so compelling and her academic credentials so impressive, but rather because following her will greatly increase their chances of getting laid (Rev. 2:20). If a prophet comes prophesying wine and beer (Mich. 2:11), he is sure …
Fabulous Hats
“Looking for flourishing chastity in such settings is a sexual snipe hunt. Just ask the question directly. Those denominations that worked through the controversy of women’s ordination a generation ago have certainly moved on. Their controversies now concern whether sodomites should be wearing sodomitres in solemn procession up the central aisle” (Why Ministers Must be …
Sexually Realistic
“Paul is concerned throughout the passage with men and women maintaining a sober and dignified relationship to one another, and this includes the men avoiding prize-fighting, the women avoiding trying to look like the prizes, and the women avoiding a usurpation of teaching authority” (Why Ministers Must Be Men, pp. 19-20).
As Cool As That
[1 Tim. 2:12] “Paul then gives the prohibition that has been the cause of so much controversy. It must be said that the controversy exists, not because Paul said something that was unclear, but rather because he said something that is inconvenient for us, especially for those who want to have a ministry as cool …
Expecting Trouble
“When women dress in the ostentatious ways described, it is not an act in isolation. It is because they are vying for the attention of the males. And when this kind of sexual parade is tolerated, they will get that male attention, and almost always from more than one guy. When Helen of Troy starts …
The Rubber Band is Just Fine
“What Paul is urging here he calls modesty, which in this place is not so much directed at décolletage only as it is against every form of ostentatious display. All the things mentioned were the sorts of things that ancient women of the Roman glitterati did — braiding jewels into their hair and sprinkling gold …
And What A Peaceful World It Would Be . . .
[Discussing 1 Tim. 2:8-15] “These men should be men who have refrained from the characteristic male sins of anger and quarreling. The hands that are lifted up to the Lord should not be hands that have struck another in ungodly anger . . . When Paul says ‘likewise,’ he is not comparing the sins themselves, …
Swmming Against the Tide, Then and Now
“It is very easy for objectors to say that the reason Christian women were not allowed to become religious ministers back in the ‘olden time’ was because the position of women in society back then would have made the Christian faith disreputable to outsiders if women were allowed to function in this way . . …
But That Wouldn’t Leave Enough People for a Cabinet . . .
“Our culture is currently in rebellion against the laws of Heaven. The Bible tells us that a throne is established by righteousness; a throne is not established by making schoolchildren say untrue things, or by putting people in the chokey if they burn the flag. Thrones are not established by pledges or penalties. Scripture tells …